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Find Out How to Negotiate Alimony in Lakeland, Florida

Your alimony attorney will explain how the law applies to you

There are many factors that a Florida family law court considers when determining whether to order alimony. It is imperative that you have an experienced family law attorney to present your case to the judge.

Deciding whether you qualify takes a legal analysis of several different factors including the length of the marriage, the needs of the requesting spouse, the ability of the other spouse to pay, how much money the party earns, age and health of both parties, and what kind of lifestyle was maintained during your marriage,and any other relevant statutory factors. An alimony attorney can assess your situation and review the statutory alimony factors with you to determine whether you can expect to receive or pay alimony.
In Florida, there are several types of alimony available.

Bridge-the-gap alimony is when an award of alimony allows the receiving spouse to transition from married life to single life. This is short in term as it may not exceed two years and is non-modifiable.

Rehabilitative alimony is when the receiving spouse needs to develop his or her job skills in order to become self-supporting.

Durational alimony is when one spouse needs economic assistance for a short (less than 7 years) or moderate (greater than 7 years but less than 17 years) time period. This type is modifiable and does not exceed the length of the marriage.

Permanent Periodic alimony is generally awarded in long-term marriages (over 17 years). It is generally tax deductible to the paying spouse which in turn becomes taxable income for the receiving spouse.

Christine Thornhill of Trakas Thornhill, PA has been practicing family and dealing with alimony issues in the Lakeland, FL area since 2005. You can count on her to know what kinds of laws apply to your case, as well as how to leverage them to best help you. Call 863-295-9300 today to schedule a consultation.

Child Support Equation
Parenting Plan Sample

How will the judge calculate child support?

How will the judge calculate child support?

Child support is an integral part of any divorce case that includes minor children or paternity action. Under Florida law, both parents are required to provide financially for their minor children. This requirement ensures that the child’s basic needs are met and that the child benefits from the parents’ monetary resources. Because of this, child support is the right of the child, not the parents. Florida law has detailed statutory guidelines for calculating child support. To determine your or your spouse's child support payments, the court will consider several factors, including...


  • Combined net monthly incomes, including bonuses and benefits
  • The number of children born or adopted to the parents
  • Health insurance cost paid for the benefit of the parents and the minor children
  • Daycare costs paid for the benefit of the children
  • Number of overnights your child spends with you and the other parent



Your child support attorney can tell you how much child support you can expect to pay to the other payment, or receive from the other parent. If you want to negotiate a private child support agreement, your attorney will prepare it and represent you in court. Christine Thornhill has been doing the same for clients just like you in the Lakeland, FL area for nearly two decades.


Modifying a prior child support order is based on a showing of a substantial and unanticipated change in circumstances and can include loss of a job, termination of daycare, disability, a minor child reaches 18, and/or substantial increase or decrease in income. Modification petitions should be filed right away because modifications are only effective from the date of filing and forward.


Contact Trakas Thornhill, PA today to speak with Christine Thornhill a child support attorney about your child support or modification case.